Al-Qalam 
The South African Government is busy engaging with the Israeli regime to release the flotilla activists that it abducted on the high seas, while trying to break the siege of Gaza, writes Ismail Suder.
With reports emerging that several South African activists on the Global Samud Flotilla were abducted by Israel, the last word that Al-Qalam had with Dr Fatima Fredericks on the boat, Amsterdam, was: “We will never give up on solidarity with the Palestinian people.”
Urgent attempts are being made by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to get them released and returned to South Africa as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, in Durban – and despite cold and rainy weather – activists gathered at five locations yesterday evening to protest Israel’s illegal action to abduct activists from over 40 boats of the flotilla. They demanded their immediate release.
In a statement yesterday, President Cyril Ramaphosa called for the immediate release of the South Africans abducted by Israeli forces.
President Ramaphosa said: “The interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla is another grave offence by Israel of global solidarity and sentiment that is aimed at relieving suffering in Gaza and advancing peace in the region.
“On behalf of our government and nation, I call on Israel to immediately release the South Africans abducted in international waters, and to release other nationals who have tried to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid.
“The interception of the flotilla in international waters is contrary to international law and violates the sovereignty of every nation whose flag was flown on the dozens of vessels in the flotilla.
“This action also violates an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded.
“South Africa calls on Israel to ensure that the life-saving cargo transported by this flotilla reaches the people of Gaza, as the flotilla represents solidarity with Gaza, not confrontation with Israel.
“South Africa supports the call by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for Israel to urgently lift the blockade on Gaza and allow the entry of life-saving material through all means possible.
“My thoughts are with all of the abductees and their families and it is my expectation that Israel will release the human rights activists as these abductions serve no purpose in the context of efforts to secure peace in the Middle East.”
Hours before being abducted – and before contact was lost with Al–Qalam – Hendricks appeared to be well prepared for what they might face on the high seas.
“Israel has said they will send a ship with jail cells and detain flotilla members. We have been trained in direct nonviolent action and are prepared for all scenarios,” she added.
Asked whether she was suffering any anxiety or fear, she responded: “I have no fear – I fear Allah Ta’ala alone. Follow the lead of the Palestinians in their fearless resistance and determination,” she said,
Hendricks has documented her life on her boat, interacting with crew, sending out bulletins to the international media, sending videos of Zikr, cooking, cleaning, general management of the boat, and at times, playfully steering the boat towards
Among those detained are former Member of Parliament Mandla Mandela, grandson of former President Nelson Mandela, Reaaz Moolla, Dr Fatima, Hendricks, Zukiswa Wanner, and Zaheera Soomar.
Meanwhile, Hamas released a statement saying Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla was a “crime of piracy and maritime terrorism against civilians,” urging “all defenders of freedom in the world” to denounce it.
“This interception “in international waters, as well as the arrest of activists and journalists” aboard the ships “constitutes a treacherous act of aggression… which adds to the dark record of crimes committed” by Israel, Hamas said in a statement.”
The Global Samud Flotilla organisation said prior to storming the boats, the Zionist naval forces jammed communications, including distress signals and livestreams. It said it was trying to account for the whereabouts of the boats and the activists on board.
Protests across the world erupted after Israeli forces blocked the flotilla from reaching Gaza in an effort to break the siege. Water cannons were used on some of the boats, and livestreamed to the world.
This is how the world reacted:
Palestine
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said it “condemns Israel’s attack and aggression against the Global Sumud Flotilla” in a post on X. “The Global Sumud Flotilla has the right of free passage in international waters, and Israel must not interfere with its freedom of navigation, long recognised under international law”, it added.
Turkiye
Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Israel’s intervention “an act of terrorism” that violated international law and endangered the lives of innocent civilians.
The ministry said Israel’s actions also demonstrated that “the fascist and militarist policies pursued by the genocidal Netanyahu government — which has condemned Gaza to famine — are not limited to Palestinians”.
Malaysia
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for the immediate release of Malaysian citizens. In a statement on X, he said it would take “all lawful and legally grounded measures to hold Israel accountable”.
Israel was not only disregarding “the basic rights of the Palestinian people but has also trampled on the conscience of the global community”, he said.
Colombia
President Gustavo Petro announced on X that his government was expelling Israeli diplomats and cancelling Colombia’s free trade agreement in light of Israel’s actions.
He said Colombia “must pursue all the appropriate demands, including through Israeli courts” to ensure the return of its citizens.
People protest to condemn the interception of GSF vessels, in front of the US embassy in Ankara, Turkiye, October 1, 2025 [Efekan Akyuz/Reuters]
Italy
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told local media Israel had assured him there would be “no violent actions” against the flotilla.
Italian unions separately called for a general strike on Friday to show their solidarity with the GSF and Gaza, following a strike in September by Unione Sindacale di Base and other protests at Italian ports.
United Kingdom
The UK government has said that it is “very concerned” about Israel’s interception of the flotilla and added that it is in “touch with the families of a number of British nationals involved.”
“The aid carried by the flotilla should be turned over to humanitarian organisations on the ground to be delivered safely into Gaza.”
Greece
Greece issued a joint statement with Italy earlier this week, calling for Israel “to ensure the safety and security of the participants and to allow for all consular protection measures”.
Ireland
Irish President Michael D Higgins said Israel was preventing essential aid from reaching Gaza. “The safety and protection of those involved in this humanitarian exercise is a concern for all of us and all of the nations from which the people come,” he said in a statement.
Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned what he called a “dastardly attack” by Israeli forces on the flotilla, saying that he was praying for the safe release of those detained. Sharif said: “This barbarity must end. Peace must be given a chance and humanitarian aid must reach those in need.”
Belgium
Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot urged the Israeli government to respect international law in a statement on X. He said his top priority was to ensure “the rights of our compatriots are respected, that their safety is guaranteed, and that they can return home as quickly as possible”.
